This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
